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The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and fit for children," said a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various individuals to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of these regions, other countries are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and others show that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.