The nation's controversial action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law may be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the step does not establish binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," stated one MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the state government level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Views
Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
While this global debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries show that states globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
