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The nation's bold policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is largely happening at the regional level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various politicians to copy this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Beyond these regions, further states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this international discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that states globally are less and less content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.