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The nation's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of states are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," said the MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid national gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to follow this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that governments around the world are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.