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The Australian controversial action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, international organizations take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this global debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments internationally are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.