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The Australian bold policy to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this international discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and others show that governments around the world are increasingly content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.