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The nation's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," commented one parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the regional level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, other states are similarly taking action.

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

However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this international conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that governments globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.