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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states around the world are less and less willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.