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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising number of nations are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," said the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, world organizations strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this international debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.