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Australia's decisive policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," stated the MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some individuals to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.