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The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the state government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, other countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

Even as this global debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and others indicate that states internationally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.