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Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". Legislation may be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," said a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is largely happening at the local level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Beyond these regions, additional nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of this nation and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.