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Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," stated one MEP behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and fit for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to follow this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.