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The Australian decisive policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and fit for young users," said a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level amid federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from these regions, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this global debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.