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The Australian bold policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said the MEP driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the state level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this international conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.