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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the regional government level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.

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

But, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.

As this global conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.