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The nation's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.