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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various politicians to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations take a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.