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The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," stated the MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a prominent peer.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the regional government level amid national inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, further nations are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

As this worldwide debate continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.