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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," said one MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of the West, further states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.