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The Australian controversial policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "stealing our children's youth". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to copy this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond the West, additional nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

As this global debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that states around the world are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.