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Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of states are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is largely occurring at the state government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of the West, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this global debate continues, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.