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The Australian controversial move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, further nations are also taking action.

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

However, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.