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The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

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

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," said the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and others indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.