The Australian bold move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Trend
In Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has urged parliament to approve a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said one parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the state level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to copy this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Beyond these regions, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
