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Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".

Last year, support grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the local level amid national stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this international debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.