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Australia's decisive policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented one MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, action is largely occurring at the regional government level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, additional nations are likewise considering moves.

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

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this global discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to self-regulate.