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The nation's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," commented a leading MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.