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Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," commented one European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, support grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and suitable for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.