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The Australian controversial policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering similar bans.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, interest built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Beyond the West, additional countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this global debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are no longer content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.