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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a bill increasing 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 suggested a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," commented the MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and suitable for minors," said a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

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

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

While this global debate continues, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.