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The Australian decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this global debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and others show that states internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.