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The Australian bold action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented the MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various individuals to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are likewise considering moves.

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

But, international agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

As this international debate evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.