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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to follow this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, other states are similarly considering moves.

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

However, global organizations adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are less and less content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.