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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

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

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," said the MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a prominent peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this international debate evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.