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Australia's decisive move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," said one MEP behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong data".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who died after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and fit for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of the West, additional countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global organizations strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states globally are no longer willing to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.