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The Australian decisive move to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a solid foundation," commented one MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust research".

Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond these regions, other nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide debate continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.