The nation's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," said the MEP driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," stated a prominent peer.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some figures to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies take a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
As this international conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
