The Australian controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
The European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".
Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the regional government level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to mimic this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Apart from these regions, additional states are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, global bodies take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
