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The Australian bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," stated one parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international agencies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.