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Australia's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for children," said a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.

While this global discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that states internationally are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.