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The nation's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, support built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the state level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, other states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

As this international discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.