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The nation's bold action to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

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

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said a leading MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.