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The nation's bold move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to approve a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said the MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond the West, further states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

While this global discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.