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Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," commented the MEP supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations strike a more measured stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.