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The nation's controversial move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and fit for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, further states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

As this international conversation continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.