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Australia's bold move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," stated one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and suitable for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Beyond these regions, further nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.