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The Australian decisive action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, further states are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.