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Australia's decisive move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization established by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the regional government level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to copy this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Apart from these regions, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.

While this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.