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Australia's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," said a leading MEP driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond the West, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

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