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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," commented one MEP behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and fit for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, additional countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and others indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.