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Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," commented the MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, further states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this global conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers show that states globally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.