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Australia's decisive move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

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

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," stated one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the local level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.