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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of states are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Outside of the West, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.