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Australia's decisive policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Beyond these regions, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.