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The Australian controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and fit for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states internationally are less and less content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.