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The nation's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Previously, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," said a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.