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Australia's decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce 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 digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," said the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.