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The Australian bold move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation may be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said the MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who died after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this global conversation continues, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.