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Australia's decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.

While this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.