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Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is largely happening at the state government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are similarly exploring options.

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

However, world agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that states internationally are no longer content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.