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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional government level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and others indicate that states around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.