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The Australian bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," stated the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to copy this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

As this global discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.