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The Australian controversial policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," commented the MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to copy this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations strike a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.