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Australia's decisive move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation could be passed next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," said a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the local level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various individuals to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies take a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this international conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.