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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the state level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, additional states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this global debate continues, the actions of this nation and others indicate that states internationally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.