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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of states are exploring similar measures.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," commented the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong research".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and suitable for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.