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The Australian decisive policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said one MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the local level amid national inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that states globally are less and less content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.