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Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.