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Australia's controversial action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "an options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," stated one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, action is largely unfolding at the state government level amid national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to follow this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.