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The Australian controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust research".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the state level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to mimic this path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, other nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.