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Australia's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong research".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and suitable for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level due to national inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, further nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this global debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.