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The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond the West, further countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.