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The Australian controversial action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from the West, further countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.