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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing number of nations are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," stated the MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is largely happening at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to follow this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of the West, further nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this international debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.