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The nation's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit 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. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," said one parliamentarian behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, legislation is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are less and less content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.