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The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

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

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," commented the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.

As this international debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.