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The Australian decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are considering comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," commented one MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for children," stated a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional government level due to national inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this international debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.