The Australian bold move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a rising group of states are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".
Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is mostly happening at the state level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, international organizations take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
While this international conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others show that governments globally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
