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Australia's decisive action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," commented one MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional government level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies take a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

While this international conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.