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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," said the parliamentarian driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the regional government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.

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

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world bodies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments internationally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.