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The nation's decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising number of states are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," said the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, additional states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.

As this global discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.