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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.