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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, world organizations take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this global discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.