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The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on robust research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, other countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.