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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who died after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local government level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, other states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.

While this international debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that states around the world are no longer content to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.