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Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid first step," commented one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, additional states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.