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The nation's bold move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid foundation," stated one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to copy this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.