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The nation's decisive action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," stated the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, support built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are similarly exploring options.

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

Yet, international agencies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.