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The nation's decisive policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are considering parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," stated one European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the family of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and fit for young users," said a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of the West, further countries are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve safety.

While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others show that governments globally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.