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Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are considering similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this global conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and others show that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.