Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering similar bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented a leading MEP supporting the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust data".
Previously, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies take a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers show that states globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
