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The nation's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

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

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good first step," stated one European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the local level amid national inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond the West, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global agencies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.