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Australia's bold move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation may be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," stated one MEP driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the state level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this international conversation continues, the steps of Australia and its followers show that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.