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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," said the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.