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The Australian decisive move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.