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The Australian bold move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who died after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is largely happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from the West, further states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.