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The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said one MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and fit for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further states are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this international conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.