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The Australian bold action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," said a leading MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a young person who died after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the local government level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond these regions, other nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and others show that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.