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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," commented a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Last year, interest built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the regional level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various individuals to copy this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional nations are similarly taking action.

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

However, global agencies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this global debate continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.