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Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.