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The Australian decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented the European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond these regions, other states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, international organizations take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and others show that states around the world are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.