The Australian controversial action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good first step," stated one parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong data".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, legislation is largely happening at the local level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, further countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, world bodies take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
While this global debate continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.
