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Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, further countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.