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Australia's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," stated the MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," stated a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to copy this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.