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The Australian controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," said one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong data".

Last year, support built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who died after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent peer.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to copy Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, other states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

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