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Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," stated one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the state level amid federal inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further nations are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international debate evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.