Australia's bold move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a increasing group of states are considering comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state government level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Views
Apart from the West, additional countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve safety.
Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
