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The nation's controversial policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, other states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this global debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.