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The nation's bold move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to copy this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global organizations adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

While this global conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.