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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," commented one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the local government level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from these regions, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and others indicate that states around the world are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.