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Australia's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

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

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this international conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.