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The nation's controversial action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

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

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," stated one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the regional government level due to country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this global discussion continues, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.