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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing number of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," said the MEP driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on strong research".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a influential peer.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid federal inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

As this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.