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Australia's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," said the MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and fit for minors," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.