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Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," stated the parliamentarian behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a influential peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Views

Outside of the West, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.