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The nation's controversial move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," said one MEP behind the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who died after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state level amid national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

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

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers indicate that governments around the world are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.