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Australia's controversial action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Outside of the West, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and others show that states internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.