Australia's bold move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," said one MEP driving the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".
Previously, support built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, action is largely occurring at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Outside of the West, further nations are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that states globally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
