Australia's bold policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Movement
In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a good first step," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Previously, momentum built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this international discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
