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Australia's controversial action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

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

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various figures to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond the West, further states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.