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Australia's decisive action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," stated one MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Last year, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and fit for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional states are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and others show that governments globally are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.