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The Australian decisive policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation could be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," commented one MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, action is largely happening at the regional government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are also exploring options.

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

Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and others indicate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.