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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations strike a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

As this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and others show that states globally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.