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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law could be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various figures to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of the West, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this international discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.