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The nation's decisive action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and fit for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is largely unfolding at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, additional nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.