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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

European Movement

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

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law could be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws demanding parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.