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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," stated one MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the state level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Beyond the West, other nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.