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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional level amid national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of the West, further countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies strike a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.