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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature 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 recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a solid first step," stated one MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of these regions, further states are likewise considering moves.

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

But, world organizations take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that governments internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.