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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing number of countries are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," stated one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the local government level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments globally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.