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The nation's decisive action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," said the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the local government level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.