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The nation's controversial move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," commented one MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the state government level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from the West, further nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

As this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.