The nation's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".
Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Outside of the West, other countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
While this global discussion continues, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
