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Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," said one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and fit for children," said a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.