The nation's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are moving toward comparable bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law could be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".
Previously, support grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and fit for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, action is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, world bodies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this international debate continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
