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The Australian decisive action to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," said the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, further states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global agencies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.