Australia's decisive move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Trend
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good foundation," commented the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust research".
Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Apart from the West, further countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, global organizations take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.
As this global debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
