Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement supporting a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated one parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Earlier, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and suitable for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the local level amid national stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, international agencies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.
Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
