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The Australian decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are considering parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good foundation," said a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a influential peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level amid country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global debate evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that states internationally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.