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Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," commented the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

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

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.