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Australia's bold action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," commented one MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust data".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of the West, additional states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.