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The nation's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global organizations strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.