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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, further countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.