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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading MEP driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on robust data".

Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the state level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states globally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.