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Australia's bold action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy could be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," commented the MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level amid national inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to mimic Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional nations are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.