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The Australian decisive action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to pass a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," said one parliamentarian driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the state government level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, further countries are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

While this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.