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The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to pass a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

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

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond the West, further states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more measured position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this international debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.