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Australia's bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising number of states are considering similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," said one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to copy Australia's lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also considering moves.

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

Yet, international agencies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that states internationally are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.