Who will be next to implement an Australia-style under-16s social media ban?

Australia's recent decision to impose a ban on social media accounts for individuals under 16 has captured the interest of governments around the world, sparking discussions about similar policies in various countries. The Online Safety Amendment Act, which took effect on December 10, mandates major platforms such as Reddit, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to implement age verification processes. Non-compliance could result in hefty fines, reaching up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately $32 million). Reactions to the ban have varied among teenagers, tech companies, and experts alike, prompting other nations to explore similar legislation. Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of the U.K.-based campaign Smartphone Free Childhood, highlighted the urgency of addressing this global issue, stating, "Governments everywhere are under pressure to respond." This grassroots initiative encourages parents to postpone granting their children access to smartphones and social media. Countries including the U.K., France, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Greece are contemplating their own restrictions on under-16s' social media use. While the U.S. appears to lag behind on a national scale, there is growing interest at the state level, according to Ravi Iyer from the University of Southern California. He noted that while predicting federal policies is challenging, there is potential for several states to adopt similar measures in the next few years, with California and Texas already considering local bans for 2026. However, the push for such bans may face opposition from major technology firms. Following Australia's announcement, Reddit filed a lawsuit claiming that the law overreaches by limiting political discourse online. Additionally, Meta has urged Australian lawmakers to reconsider the ban, while X has communicated to its users, "It's not our choice – it's what the Australian law requires." The momentum for a U.K. social media ban has been gaining traction, particularly this year, with the House of Lords slated to vote on an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that could include restrictions for under-16s. Greenwell's campaign has mobilized over 100,000 emails sent to U.K. lawmakers, advocating for reasonable limits to safeguard children's wellbeing. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his support for protecting children from social media, indicating that he is studying the Australian model. He remarked, "All options are on the table in relation to what further protections we can put in place." Concerns about the excessive screen time experienced by very young children have also been raised, with Streeting, the U.K. health secretary, seeking expert opinions to address this pressing issue. France is also in the mix, debating two bills aimed at restricting social media access for individuals under 15, with President Emmanuel Macron backing one of the proposals. France's public health authority has noted the well-documented adverse effects of social media on young users. Iyer suggests that if the teen social media ban becomes a global standard, it could relieve the pressure on young people to engage with these platforms. He stated, "One of the primary goals of the law is to change the norm, such that teens don't feel pressured to use social media because all their friends are doing so. If we can solve that problem, we'll have made significant progress toward improving mental health outcomes for youth."