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The nation's decisive move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising number of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," stated a leading MEP driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the local government level due to national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to copy this example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

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

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies take a more measured position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

As this international conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are no longer content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.