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The nation's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said the MEP behind the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.