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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," stated one MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the regional level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations strike a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.