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The Australian controversial move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

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

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". A law could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.