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Australia's bold move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said the MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong research".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.