Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing group of states are considering parallel bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation may be formalized soon.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a useful first step," stated a leading MEP behind the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the matter.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the local level due to national inaction.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
While this international discussion continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
