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The nation's controversial move to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," said one MEP driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the regional government level amid federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Beyond these regions, further nations are likewise considering moves.

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

However, world agencies take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.