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The nation's bold move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," said a leading MEP driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, other countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.