Australia's controversial action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted next year.
- Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional level due to national stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to follow this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.
As this international discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
