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Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from the West, other countries are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers show that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.