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The Australian bold action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to approve a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," said the MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this global discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.