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The nation's bold move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy this example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies strike a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.