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The Australian decisive policy to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the local government level due to federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, additional states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

While this global discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are less and less content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.