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The nation's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," said a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

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

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is largely happening at the local government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to copy this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies take a more measured position. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.