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The Australian controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," commented one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have voiced warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations take a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this global debate evolves, the steps of this nation and others indicate that policymakers globally are less and less content to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.