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The Australian controversial move to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration committed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and fit for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this global debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.