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The Australian bold move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong research".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," commented a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the local government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states globally are no longer willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.