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Australia's decisive action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," said one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful online content argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the state government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.