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The nation's controversial policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the family of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

Even as this global discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and others show that states internationally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.