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Australia's bold action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing number of states are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," stated one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the family of a girl who died after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level due to federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.

As this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.