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Australia's decisive move to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the access 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 endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," said the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.