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Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a bill raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.