Australia’s pioneering social media ban for children under sixteen has sparked momentum across Europe, with European Union institutions and several member states actively considering similar restrictions to protect young people from online harms.

The Australian law, which came into force in December and prohibits minors under sixteen from holding accounts on major platforms unless providers verify age and implement safeguards, has become a reference point for policymakers in Brussels and capitals from Madrid to Dublin.

The European Parliament has underscored the need for stronger digital protections for minors and adopted a non-binding resolution advocating a minimum age of sixteen for social media access while allowing those aged thirteen to fifteen to participate with parental consent and advocating additional design safeguards on addictive features.

National governments in Spain, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Denmark and others have since outlined or advanced their own discussions, proposals and draft laws that would curb children’s access to social networks in line with the Australian model.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has tied the proposed age limit to broader regulatory actions, including criminal investigations into alleged failures by major platforms to prevent harmful artificial-intelligence-generated content directed at children.

The Spanish government has signalled legislative proposals to restrict under-sixteen social media use alongside other digital safety measures.

In Ireland, the government is preparing to outline plans that would compel platforms to enforce age restrictions for under-sixteen users, with an initial effort to pursue these measures at the EU level during Ireland’s upcoming presidency; it stands ready to act nationally if no consensus is achieved.

The United Kingdom is also moving towards an Australia-style ban for under-sixteens.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration, in tandem with wider online safety reforms including tighter regulation of artificial-intelligence chatbots that have generated harmful and illegal content, is considering enshrining an age restriction in new legislation following consultation and cross-party debate.

Other EU member states including Denmark and France are advancing parallel initiatives aimed at raising minimum ages or imposing strict age verification requirements, sometimes coupled with parental consent frameworks.

European Commission officials have publicly welcomed Australia’s approach and indicated ongoing cooperation on child protection online, including sharing expertise on age assurance technologies and monitoring the Australian experience.

While proposals differ in details and enforcement mechanisms, the converging trend reflects growing concern among European policymakers about the psychological, social and physical impacts of unfettered social media use by minors.

The debate continues at both national and EU levels as lawmakers weigh the balance between digital engagement, individual freedoms and safeguarding the wellbeing of younger generations.