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The nation's bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law could be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

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

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

As this global debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.