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The Australian decisive move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy may be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," stated one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local government level amid national stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Outside of the West, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this global discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.