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The nation's bold move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

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

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to approve a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," said the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various politicians to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond the West, other nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this international conversation continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.