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The Australian decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," stated one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the local level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this international debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and others indicate that states globally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.