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The nation's decisive move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

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

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the local level due to federal inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Beyond these regions, further states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

While this global discussion continues, the policies of this nation and others indicate that governments globally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.