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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," said one parliamentarian driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.