Australia's decisive move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law may be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a good first step," commented a leading MEP driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust evidence".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a influential peer.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level amid country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, world organizations strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.
While this global debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and others show that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
