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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for minors," commented a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, action is primarily occurring at the regional government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of the West, other nations are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this global discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.