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The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," said one MEP driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

While this international debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.