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The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

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

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, action is largely happening at the local level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this global conversation continues, the steps of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.