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Australia's bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential peer.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and others indicate that states internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.