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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," stated one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond these regions, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this global discussion continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that states globally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.