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Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond these regions, further countries are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.

As this international discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.