The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not create binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," said one MEP driving the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the local level due to national gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, international bodies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
Even as this international conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
