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The Australian decisive move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and suitable for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of these regions, other states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.