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Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "an options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this global debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.