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The Australian bold policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," said a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is largely happening at the state government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

As this global discussion continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.