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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level amid national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this international debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.