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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to enact a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented the MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from the West, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international discussion continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.