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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," stated one parliamentarian behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, action is largely happening at the state government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, additional nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

As this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.