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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a rising group of nations are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," said the MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong data".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to mimic the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, other countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.