In December, Australia became the first country in the world to set a ban on under-16s using social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

　　Several European countries are considering social media use restrictions, while the European Commission is working on its own regulations to limit social media access across Europe to protect young people.

　　Gaelle Berbonde, a 52-year-old parent from the Paris region whose daughter self-harmed and struggled with anorexia after using a social media platform, told the Associated Press she welcomed the ban.

　　"We"ve been campaigning for this bill from the start because, frankly, we have no other option, no other way to counter tech giants," said Berbonde. "The only thing we can do is protect our children, just as we protect our children from drinking alcohol."

　　The United Kingdom is preparing legislation for a ban on social media for under-16s and a default overnight curfew for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds, from midnight to 6 am. Once approved by lawmakers, the measures are expected to take effect in the spring of 2027, the UK government said.

　　Social media platforms generally oppose blanket bans and say they already protect younger users with age restrictions, but they have pledged to comply with such laws when governments enact them.

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