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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a good first step," said one MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the state level due to national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to follow this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.