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The Australian bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," stated the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the local government level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.