Australia's bold action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," commented the MEP supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level due to national gridlock.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional time requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Apart from the West, other countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world organizations take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
While this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
