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Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of states are exploring similar measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," stated one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the family of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state government level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this international debate continues, the actions of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.