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Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law could be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to enact a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," commented a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of these regions, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this global discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.