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The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing number of countries are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law may be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," stated one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who died after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

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

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to follow this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of this nation and others show that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.