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Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust data".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

As this global conversation continues, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.