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The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, support built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and fit for children," said a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local level amid national stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

Even as this international conversation continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.