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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies take a more measured position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that governments internationally are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.