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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various individuals to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this global conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.