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The Australian decisive action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful first step," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, further nations are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.