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The nation's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, interest grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further states are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this global debate evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers indicate that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.