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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented the MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the regional government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Apart from these regions, other countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.