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Australia's bold move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," stated the MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this international conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.