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The nation's bold policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.