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The nation's decisive policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," said a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, other countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.