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The Australian decisive move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". A law could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," commented one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a girl who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

As this international debate evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers show that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.