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Australia's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing number of states are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," said one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this international debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.