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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a good starting point," stated one European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to copy this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of the West, further states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this global debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states globally are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.