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Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill raising 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 government panel has suggested a similar action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust data".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of these regions, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, international agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this global debate evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.