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The nation's bold move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.