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The nation's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," said one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to copy this example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Apart from these regions, further states are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this global debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.