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Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' childhood". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to approve a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," stated a leading MEP driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive research".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this international conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.