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The nation's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing number of states are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the state government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, other states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.