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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," stated the MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to mimic the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.