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The Australian decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to pass a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a solid first step," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the regional government level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond the West, other countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this global discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.