The nation's controversial action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". A law could be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to pass a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust data".
Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a leading child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to mimic this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world organizations strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
As this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states internationally are no longer content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
