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The nation's controversial policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," stated a leading MEP behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers globally are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.