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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," commented a leading MEP behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

As this international conversation continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.