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Australia's controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

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

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional nations are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.