Australia's decisive policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
The European Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a bill raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," stated the MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong data".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a influential peer.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Outside of the West, other states are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
As this international conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
