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The Australian bold policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of states are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented the MEP driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are less and less willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.