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Australia's decisive action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," said one MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state government level amid national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and others show that states internationally are less and less content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.