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The Australian bold action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". A law may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a proposal raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," commented the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who died after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and fit for children," commented a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Beyond the West, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more measured position. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.