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The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on robust data".

Last year, support built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, action is largely occurring at the local government level due to national inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, other states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.