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The nation's bold move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of states are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy may be formalized soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," stated a leading MEP behind the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, support built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the matter.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a leading peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond these regions, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this international discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are no longer content to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.