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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," commented the MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

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

Yet, global organizations strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.