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The Australian controversial action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful online content contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the local level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond the West, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this international conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.