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The Australian bold move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation may be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, support built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to mimic Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, additional states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, international organizations take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that states globally are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.