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The Australian bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some figures to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly considering moves.

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

But, global agencies strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global debate continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.