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Australia's bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level amid federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from the West, other nations are also considering moves.

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

But, global agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this global discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.