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The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Previously, support grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and fit for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of this nation and others show that states globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to self-regulate.