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The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Movement

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

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to enact a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," said one European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a influential peer.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the state government level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are similarly exploring options.

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

However, international bodies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this international debate continues, the actions of this nation and its followers show that governments around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.