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The Australian bold action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," stated one MEP driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and fit for young users," stated a influential peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further nations are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.