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Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a good first step," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of these regions, other states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.