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The Australian bold move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising group of countries are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said the MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

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

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this international debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.