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Australia's decisive move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

In Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said one MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong research".

Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, further states are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this international debate evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.