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The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, action is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, other nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this global debate evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.