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Australia's controversial move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a law lifting 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 similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," stated one MEP driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, interest grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," said a influential peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level amid country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.