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The Australian bold move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, support built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the state level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to copy this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, further states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate continues, the steps of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.