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The Australian controversial policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said a leading MEP supporting the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

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

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

While this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and others indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.