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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that governments internationally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.