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The nation's decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a proposal raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international debate continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.