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The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that states around the world are increasingly content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.