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The Australian bold move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid first step," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the regional government level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this global debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that states around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.