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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a solid foundation," commented one parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to mimic Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.

While this international debate continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.