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Australia's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," stated the parliamentarian driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the local government level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, world agencies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this international conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.