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The Australian decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, action is mostly happening at the state level amid national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this international conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are increasingly content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.