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Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability 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, action is primarily happening at the local government level due to national gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

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

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this international discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.