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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy could be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," commented one MEP supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local government level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various figures to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond these regions, further nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and others indicate that governments globally are less and less content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.