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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," said a leading MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various individuals to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, further countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments around the world are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.