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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and fit for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, action is primarily happening at the state level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this international debate continues, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that states internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.