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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of states are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, support built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.