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Australia's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a good starting point," stated the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Apart from these regions, additional nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.