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The Australian bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

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

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the local government level amid national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, further states are also exploring options.

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

However, global bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and others indicate that states internationally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.