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The nation's bold move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation established by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise taking action.

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

However, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and others show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.