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The Australian bold action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this global conversation continues, the steps of this nation and others show that states around the world are increasingly content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.