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The Australian decisive policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of states are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from the West, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.