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The Australian bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," commented one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this international debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.