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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing 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 suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," said one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Outside of the West, further countries are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of this nation and others indicate that governments globally are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.