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Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," said one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are likewise taking action.

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

However, global agencies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.