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The Australian bold move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "an measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," stated a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, interest grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the regional government level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Apart from these regions, further states are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this global conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.