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The nation's bold action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust data".

Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and fit for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.