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The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".

Last year, support built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.