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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to follow this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.