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The nation's bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a leading peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states globally are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.