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The Australian controversial move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this international debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.