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The nation's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of states are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and suitable for children," said a prominent peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global organizations take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

As this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.