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Australia's bold move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," stated the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a influential peer.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, action is mostly occurring at the regional level due to federal inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and others indicate that governments internationally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.