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The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising chorus of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a useful first step," stated a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from these regions, other countries are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this global conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.