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

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

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

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, additional states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this global debate evolves, the steps of this nation and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.