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The Australian decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the regional government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are likewise taking action.

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

However, global bodies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and others show that governments internationally are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.