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The Australian decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

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

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," commented the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on strong data".

Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and fit for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.

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

Yet, world agencies take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.