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The Australian controversial policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," commented the MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".

Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to follow this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, further states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

As this international debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.