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Australia's decisive action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," stated the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the regional government level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of the West, further nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.