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The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to enact a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

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

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of the West, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are no longer content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.