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The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," commented the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the state level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, further nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments globally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.