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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a rising number of states are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy could be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

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

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of this nation and its followers show that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.