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The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law could be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," commented the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise considering moves.

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

However, world bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.