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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, other states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this international discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.