DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

As Europe follows Australia's social media ban, the US opts for its own way

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A lawsuit alleges Meta's Instagram algorithm contributed to a young woman's eating disorder and self-harm by providing harmful content.
  • While Europe and other countries are implementing social media bans for minors, the US has not enacted national legislation.
  • Advocates are pushing for stricter US regulations, criticizing proposed laws as too weak and potentially hindering state-level actions.

Alexis Spence's dog, Draco, plays a critical role in her life, intervening when she experiences self-harm urges or panic attacks. This close bond developed after Spence spent time in the hospital for depression, an eating disorder, and suicidal thoughts.

If I go to the bathroom by myself, he'll either scratch at the door or bark at the doors to try to get attention.

— Alexis SpenceSpence described how her dog, Draco, alerts her during moments of distress.

Now 24, Spence is part of a lawsuit against Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram. The suit claims that an "addictive" use of Instagram and its algorithm, which allegedly offered tips for bulimic purging and extreme weight loss, contributed to her mental health struggles. Spence states she began receiving weight loss tips on her "explore page" at age 11, despite Instagram's minimum age requirement of 13, and by 15, she required emergency psychiatric treatment.

He will also alert before a panic attack and will interrupt self-harm behaviours.

— Alexis SpenceSpence explained the specific protective functions of her service dog.

Spence's family is suing Meta for damages, joining hundreds of others who claim harm from the platforms. They are advocating for national action in the US, urging it to follow Australia's lead in banning social media for children under 16. Australia's ban took effect last December, prompting similar plans from the UK, Canada, and Indonesia, with the EU also developing age restriction policies.

I love my little guy. He really helps me.

— Alexis SpenceSpence expressed her affection and reliance on her dog.

However, the US, home to these tech giants, has lagged in enacting national legislation. A bill to ban social media for those under 13 stalled in Congress. An alternative law passed by the House of Representatives, which would require platforms to "limit design features that encourage compulsive usage" and offer parental controls, faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Many critics, including the attorneys-general of 44 US states and territories, argue this bill is too weak, would shield Big Tech from accountability, and endanger young users.

At 11 years old I was getting weight loss tips on my explore page, and then it shifted into anorexia.

— Alexis SpenceSpence detailed her early experiences with harmful content on Instagram.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog