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The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

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

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is largely happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.