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Australia's decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are considering comparable bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," said a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the government committed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and fit for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, action is largely unfolding at the local government level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others indicate that governments internationally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.