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The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic this example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond the West, other nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of this nation and others show that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.