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The nation's controversial action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," said a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is largely happening at the regional level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

Even as this global debate continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.