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Australia's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said the parliamentarian behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in strong research".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and fit for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

As this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers show that states globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.