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Australia's bold move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," said the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

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

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.