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The Australian decisive action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, action is largely occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond the West, other countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this global discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that states internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.