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The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," commented the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Approach

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

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are also taking action.

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

Yet, world bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

While this global debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.