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Australia's controversial move to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," commented the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, international organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this global conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.