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Australia's controversial action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good first step," said a leading MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the local level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

As this global debate continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.