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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," commented the European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and fit for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.