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Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented one European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the local level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, other states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.