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The nation's bold action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the local government level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

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

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this international debate continues, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.