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The nation's bold policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, other states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this international debate evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers show that states internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.