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The nation's bold action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," commented a leading MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the state level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some figures to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this international conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.