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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," stated the MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this global conversation continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.