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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of states are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," said the MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level amid national stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, other states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of Australia and others indicate that governments internationally are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.