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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to approve a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this global conversation continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.