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The nation's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a useful first step," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, further states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.

Even as this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that states globally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.