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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," commented one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, support built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are similarly considering moves.

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

But, international organizations strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.