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The nation's decisive policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising group of nations are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". 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 shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to pass a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a good first step," stated a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others indicate that states internationally are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.