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Australia's bold action to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," stated the MEP behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is mostly occurring at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various individuals to mimic the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are also exploring options.

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

But, global organizations strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this global conversation continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that states internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.