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The Australian bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," said the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based 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 "grounded in strong data".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various individuals to follow this example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, additional states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.