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Australia's decisive move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this global debate continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.