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The nation's controversial policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," said one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are likewise considering moves.

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

But, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.