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Australia's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". A law may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," said a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," said a influential peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.