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Australia's controversial move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising chorus of states are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," stated one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, further nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

As this global debate evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that states internationally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.