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The Australian decisive policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". The policy may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who died after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and fit for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the state level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Apart from these regions, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

As this international conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.