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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be passed next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to copy Australia's lead, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.