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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," stated the European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states globally are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.