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The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," said one parliamentarian behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the state level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, further countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

As this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states internationally are less and less willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.