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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said one MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, interest built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

While this international debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.