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Australia's decisive move to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not create binding law.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," commented the MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the local government level amid national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further countries are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies take a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this international conversation continues, the policies of this nation and others indicate that governments around the world are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.