The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
In Europe, a growing number of states are considering parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A clear age limit is a good foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state government level due to country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills demanding parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some figures to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international agencies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this global debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
