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The Australian controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," stated the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the state level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, other nations are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.