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Australia's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," said the European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a influential peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the state government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and others indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.