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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," said a leading MEP behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond these regions, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this international conversation continues, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that states around the world are no longer content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.