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Australia's bold policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are observing closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," said the MEP behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the state government level amid national stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to mimic this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this global conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.