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The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and suitable for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the local level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, further states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international agencies take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this global conversation continues, the steps of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.