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The nation's bold policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," said one MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the state government level amid national inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, other nations are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that states globally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.