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The Australian decisive move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. 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

Across Europe, a rising chorus of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and suitable for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the state government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this global discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.