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Australia's bold action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to copy this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

As this global conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.