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The nation's controversial action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," stated one parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

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

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state government level amid national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.