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The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a influential peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, other countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this global debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others show that states internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.