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Australia's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," stated the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and fit for children," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain figures to copy this path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are also considering moves.

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

However, global organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international debate continues, the steps of this nation and others show that states internationally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.