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Australia's decisive action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust data".

Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from these regions, other states are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and others indicate that states around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.