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Australia's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

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

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," commented the MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.