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The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

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

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," stated the MEP driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.