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The Australian controversial action to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on strong research".

Last year, support grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise considering moves.

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

However, world organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the policies of this nation and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.