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The Australian controversial action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid foundation," stated one MEP behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a influential peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of these regions, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers indicate that states globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.