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Australia's bold policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level amid federal inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, additional states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments around the world are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.