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Australia's bold action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, support built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, other countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others indicate that states around the world are no longer content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.