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The nation's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," stated one parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the regional level due to national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this international discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.