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The Australian decisive move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," commented one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," said a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the local government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Apart from the West, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more measured position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

While this global debate continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.