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Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said a leading MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government committed to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed 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 blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential peer.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

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

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.