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The nation's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is primarily happening at the local level amid federal inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide debate continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.