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The Australian decisive policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong research".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who died after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, international organizations adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

Even as this international discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.