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Australia's bold policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the state level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, further states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.