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The Australian bold policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

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

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is mostly happening at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, further nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international bodies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

Even as this international conversation continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.