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The Australian decisive action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law may be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Charities have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the family of a young person who died after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the state level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to copy this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.