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The nation's controversial policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the state level amid national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this international conversation unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that states internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.