The nation's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Last year, interest grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, international agencies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
As this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and others show that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
