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The Australian decisive policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering similar measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, support built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, other countries are also considering moves.

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

But, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this global discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that states around the world are less and less willing to wait for the industry to self-regulate.