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The nation's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," stated one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond these regions, other nations are similarly taking action.

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

However, world bodies strike a more measured position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.