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The Australian bold move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". A law may be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on robust data".

Last year, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and suitable for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this international debate evolves, the steps of Australia and others show that states around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.