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The Australian decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy may be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," said the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this global conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.