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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to follow this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Apart from the West, additional countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and others indicate that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.