The nation's bold policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be passed soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," stated a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".
Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," said a leading peer.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional countries are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global organizations strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.
As this global debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states globally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
