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Australia's bold policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's youth". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to enact a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," commented the MEP behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support built behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.

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

Yet, world organizations take a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this global conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.