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The Australian bold action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid first step," said the MEP behind the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the state level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.