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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," stated one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and fit for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the regional level amid national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, additional countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.