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Australia's bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and fit for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, other countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this global debate continues, the actions of this nation and others show that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.