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Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the local level amid national inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, other nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.