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Australia's decisive policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," commented the MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, further states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are no longer content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.