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The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," said the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," stated a prominent peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond the West, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and others show that states internationally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.