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Australia's controversial action to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," stated a leading MEP behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

Even as this international conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.