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The nation's decisive move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," commented the MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global organizations adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this global discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.