The nation's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful online content argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some individuals to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.
As this international conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
