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The nation's decisive action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," said the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level amid national inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, further nations are likewise exploring options.

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

However, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.