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The Australian bold action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law could be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," said the MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the local level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of the West, additional nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.