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The Australian controversial move to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," said the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides 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 "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international debate continues, the steps of this nation and its followers show that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.