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Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising group of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.