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Australia's controversial policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," said one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to copy this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, international agencies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.