The nation's controversial move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
The European Trend
Across Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be passed soon.
- Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said one MEP supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and suitable for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
Even as this global conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
