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The nation's bold policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are considering comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Beyond these regions, additional countries are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, global organizations strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.

While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.