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The Australian bold action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," stated the MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state government level due to federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to copy this example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

As this international debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that governments internationally are less and less content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.