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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," commented one MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global agencies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.