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The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said one MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the local government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that states globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.