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The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a useful first step," said a leading European lawmaker driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of these regions, other states are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.