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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," said the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and fit for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is largely happening at the state level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global debate evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.