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The Australian controversial move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a good first step," commented one MEP driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to copy this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, other states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies strike a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this global discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers globally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.