The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing group of states are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated one parliamentarian behind the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong research".
Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a simple 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 response to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some individuals to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
While this global debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
