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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," stated one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, support grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," commented a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the local level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various politicians to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise taking action.

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

Yet, international organizations adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments globally are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.