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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," commented a leading MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some figures to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional nations are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this global discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.