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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," stated the MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

As this global discussion continues, the steps of Australia and others indicate that states globally are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.