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Australia's controversial action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," commented one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.

As this global conversation continues, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.