The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy could be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.
Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a leading child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
