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The Australian decisive action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law could be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to pass a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is largely happening at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this global discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.