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Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

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

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional states are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international organizations take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers globally are less and less content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.