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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.