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The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic this example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are similarly taking action.

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

But, world organizations take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.