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The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a good first step," said the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, other states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.