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Australia's decisive action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," said a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on robust evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, further countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.