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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and others show that policymakers globally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.