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Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "an options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said the European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond these regions, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies strike a more measured position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.