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Australia's controversial move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

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

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," commented a leading MEP driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and others indicate that governments globally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.