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The nation's controversial action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," stated a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the regional level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.