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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy may be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a good first step," commented the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on robust data".

Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and fit for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is largely happening at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to follow this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion continues, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.