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The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

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

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to federal inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

As this international conversation continues, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are no longer content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.