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The Australian bold action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said the MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some figures to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond these regions, other states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.