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Australia's decisive action to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the state level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global debate continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments globally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.