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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good first step," said a leading MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the state government level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from the West, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states globally are less and less content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.