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The Australian bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," stated one MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations strike a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.