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The nation's controversial action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and suitable for children," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some figures to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and others show that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.