The Australian decisive policy to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a growing number of states are considering parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to follow this path, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
While this international discussion continues, the actions of this nation and its followers show that governments internationally are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
