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Australia's controversial move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," commented a leading MEP driving the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, other states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and its followers show that states internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.