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Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers show that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.