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Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," stated the MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily unfolding at the local level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments globally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.