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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to pass a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good first step," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are less and less content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.