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Australia's bold policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the local government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, other nations are also considering moves.

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

But, global organizations strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

While this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.