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The Australian decisive move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering similar bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," commented a leading MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state government level due to national stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international debate evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.