The Australian controversial move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring comparable restrictions.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," stated one MEP behind the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong data".
Previously, support gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from the West, other nations are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies take a more measured position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.
Even as this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
