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Australia's decisive move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to pass a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust data".

Last year, interest grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the regional level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of the West, other nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this global discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.