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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be passed soon.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust data".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and fit for children," commented a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies take a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this international conversation unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.