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Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, other states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.