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The nation's decisive move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," commented one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of these regions, additional countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.