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The Australian bold move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," stated one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.