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The Australian bold move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a prominent peer.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.