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The Australian bold move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this global discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that states globally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.