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Australia's decisive move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing number of states are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said one MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, support built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations take a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.

While this global conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers show that policymakers globally are no longer content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.