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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," stated one MEP driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong research".

Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level amid national inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.