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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from the West, other states are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.