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The nation's decisive move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are considering parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," commented the MEP behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust data".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some individuals to copy this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.