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The Australian controversial action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to pass a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," commented the parliamentarian behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a influential peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

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

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

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

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this international conversation continues, the actions of this nation and its followers show that governments around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.