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The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some figures to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are likewise taking action.

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

However, world organizations take a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this global debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that governments globally are no longer content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.