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The Australian controversial policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law could be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, other states are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.