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Australia's decisive policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," commented one MEP behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Apart from these regions, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.