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The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," said a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent peer.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, international agencies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this global debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others show that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.