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Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

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

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, other nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that states globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.