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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a prominent peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, other states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

As this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states globally are less and less willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.