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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," said the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.