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The nation's controversial action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong data".

Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global organizations take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are less and less content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.