Australia's controversial move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Trend
In Europe, a growing group of countries are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be passed soon.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".
Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Views
Outside of the West, further countries are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this international debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
