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Australia's controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of states are considering parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid foundation," commented one parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.