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The Australian controversial policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to approve a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," stated the MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from various figures to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.