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Australia's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing group of states are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," stated one MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that states around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.