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Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," said one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is largely unfolding at the state level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws requiring adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of Australia and its followers show that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.