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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and fit for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local level due to federal inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.