The nation's bold move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not enact binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and fit for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, action is mostly occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various figures to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this global conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
