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Australia's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," said the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government committed to further research the issue.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

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

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this global debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.