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The Australian controversial action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," commented one MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong research".

Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, action is largely occurring at the local level amid federal inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, other states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this global discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.