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The nation's bold policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," stated one MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the local government level due to national gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that governments globally are less and less content to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.