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The nation's decisive move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong research".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and fit for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this international debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.