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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy may be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of the West, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this international conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.