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Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to follow this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of the West, other states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.