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Australia's controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, interest built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a influential peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some figures to follow this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.