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The nation's bold move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," stated the MEP driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust research".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the local government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this global conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that governments internationally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.