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The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the regional level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this international debate evolves, the steps of this nation and others show that governments globally are less and less content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.