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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". A law may be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, other states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that states internationally are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.