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The Australian bold move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," commented one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a leading peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, further nations are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this global discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.