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Australia's decisive action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," stated one parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the state government level amid national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, other nations are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, global bodies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.