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The Australian controversial action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and fit for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, further countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.