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Australia's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," commented one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a leading peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.