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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the local level amid national stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of these regions, other nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.