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Australia's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

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

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, support grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from these regions, further states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and others show that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.