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Australia's bold action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," stated a leading MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this international debate continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that states around the world are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.