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The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," commented the MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

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

Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who died after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to mimic this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies take a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this global discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and others show that states around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.