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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good starting point," stated the MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Outside of the West, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies strike a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

While this international conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.