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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the local government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states globally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.