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Australia's decisive move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a proposal increasing 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 parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," said the MEP behind the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, support built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state government level due to national stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.