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The Australian controversial action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," stated a prominent peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

While this international discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers show that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.