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The Australian controversial policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid foundation," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this international conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.