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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good first step," stated a leading MEP driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is primarily happening at the state government level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, other states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this global discussion continues, the steps of Australia and others show that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.