The Australian controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
While this global conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
