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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of states are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to pass a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a solid foundation," said a leading MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a influential peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some figures to mimic this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and others indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.