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The Australian decisive policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing number of nations are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," commented one parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on strong research".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, additional countries are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this international debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.