The Australian controversial policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Trend
Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government vowed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, other states are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, global organizations adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
As this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
