Australia's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering similar bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government 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 demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," commented one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong evidence".
Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.
While this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
