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Australia's decisive move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing number of states are considering parallel bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented the MEP behind the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration committed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a influential peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the local government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this global discussion continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states internationally are less and less content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.