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Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a useful first step," commented the MEP driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, support grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

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

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.