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Australia's controversial policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, further states are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this international discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.