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The Australian decisive action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," commented one MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this international discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others show that states globally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.