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The Australian decisive move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

In Europe, a rising group of nations are considering comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and fit for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from certain figures to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.