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The Australian bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and fit for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the state level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Outside of the West, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.