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The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," commented the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization set up by the family of a young person who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of this nation and its followers show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.