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Australia's bold policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising number of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from the West, further nations are similarly taking action.

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

However, global bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this international discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others show that governments globally are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.