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The Australian bold move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and fit for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the local level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to follow this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

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

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

Even as this global discussion continues, the steps of this nation and several other countries indicate that states globally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.