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Australia's decisive move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this international discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and others indicate that governments internationally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.