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The Australian controversial action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

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

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

As this global conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.