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Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to enact a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," commented a leading MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by strong data".

Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily occurring at the local government level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.