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Australia's decisive action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's childhood". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," commented the European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of the West, other countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.