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Australia's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.