The nation's decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our children's youth". The policy could be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a good first step," commented the parliamentarian driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust evidence".
Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, action is largely happening at the state level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, further states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global organizations adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
While this global debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
