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The nation's bold move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the local government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that states internationally are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.