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Australia's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," stated the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to follow this example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, further states are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.