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The Australian decisive move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," commented one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a leading peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide debate continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.