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The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain figures to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

As this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.