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The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, action is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of the West, additional nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the steps of this nation and others show that governments internationally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.