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The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong research".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the local level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Apart from the West, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global organizations strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this international debate continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.