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The nation's decisive action to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," said one MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization founded by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, other states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this international conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.