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The nation's controversial policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," stated the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the state government level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.