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Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to enact a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

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

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various individuals to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from these regions, other nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.