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The Australian decisive policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," commented the European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.