The nation's bold action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," stated one parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".
Earlier, interest built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, action is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Beyond the West, other nations are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, global agencies adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
While this international discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
