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The nation's controversial move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to approve a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, international organizations strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.