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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," said the MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

While this international discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.