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The nation's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing group of countries are considering comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy could be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," said one parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Outside of these regions, further states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.