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Australia's controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and suitable for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the local level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, other nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

Even as this international debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.