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Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," commented the European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the state level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

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

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks 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 "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this international debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.