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The Australian bold move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising number of states are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the state level amid national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to follow Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this global conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states globally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.