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Australia's controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said one MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

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

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this international conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that states around the world are no longer content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.