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Australia's controversial move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level amid national stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international agencies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that governments globally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.