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Australia's bold move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said one parliamentarian behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong research".

Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.

While this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and its followers show that policymakers internationally are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.