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Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, action is primarily unfolding at the state level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various individuals to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

As this international discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.