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The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

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

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a solid foundation," stated the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, action is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, other states are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

As this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments internationally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.