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Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level amid federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, other countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this global debate evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers show that governments internationally are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.