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Australia's bold action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy may be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," commented a leading MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the local government level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, other countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.

While this international conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and its followers indicate that states around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.