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The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," commented one MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Outside of the West, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

As this international debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.