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The Australian bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this global discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.