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The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," said one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this global discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others indicate that governments internationally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.