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Australia's controversial action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid foundation," stated one MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional level amid national gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international agencies strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this international conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers show that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.