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The nation's controversial action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our children's youth". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," stated one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".

Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional nations are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.