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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to approve a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, action is primarily happening at the local level amid national inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, other nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide debate continues, the actions of this nation and others indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.