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Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust research".

Last year, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this international debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.