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Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

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

Britain: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to follow Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, other states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others indicate that governments around the world are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.