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The Australian decisive move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," commented the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust research".

Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, action is largely occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating parental consent for minors to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, further states are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world organizations take a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.